Effects of the PREMEN-CALM® in the Management of the Premenstrual Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study

Premenstrual syndrome is a common disorder in women of reproductive age characterized by a variety of cyclical symptoms with a great impact on their lifestyle. Available pharmacological options include both antidepressants and oral contraceptives, both of which have side effects, are expensive and not always effective. Vitamins, minerals and plant extracts have been proven to alleviate the symptomatology of the premenstrual syndrome. For this reason, the purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of a commercial phytotherapeutic dietary supplement (PREMEN-CALM®: γ-aminobutyric acid, Rhodiola rosea L., Vitex agnus-castus, vitamin B6 and melatonin) as an alternative treatment for this condition. A randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled pilot study was performed. Participants (n = 42) were assessed before and after 3 months of taking the supplement (n = 21) or the placebo (n = 21). Outcome measures include antioxidant and inflammatory biomarkers, body composition, subjective sleep quality, mood state profile, quality of life, and certain characteristics of the menstrual cycle. The within-group analysis revealed a significant improvement in the total antioxidant status (1.49 ± 0.34 vs reference value 1, p = 0.002), mood state profile (p = 0.02), and affective symptoms (p = 0.01) in the women receiving the commercial phytotherapeutic dietary supplement PREMEN-CALM®. On the contrary, the between-group analysis showed no statistical differences, suggesting a plausible placebo effect. The phytotherapeutic supplement PREMEN-CALM® might be effective in treating or alleviating the symptoms of the premenstrual syndrome without adverse events. Integrative medicine approaches in the clinical practice may help improve the health of women suffering from this and other gynecological conditions.

Evaluation of the therapeutic efficacy of Vitex agnus-castus extract on cisplatin-induced hematotoxicity in female Wistar rats

Background and Aim

Cisplatin (CP) is a preferred drug for cancer treatment but it has dose-dependent side effects. Vitex agnus-castus (VAC) berry extract has antioxidant, free-radical scavenging, and anti-inflammatory activities. This study explored the mitigating effects of VAC extract (VACE) on acute hematotoxicity induced by CP in female Wistar rats.

Materials and Methods

Female Wistar rats (n = 30) were randomly divided into five groups (n = 6/group). The normal control (NC) group received no treatment. The CP control group received CP (7 mg/kg.b.w. ip, single dose) and the drug control group (VACE-650) received VACE (650 mg/kg b.w. oral, daily) for 7 days. Both groups received a single dose of CP (7 mg/kg b.w. ip), followed by 350 and 650 mg/kg.b.w. of VACE daily orally (CPVACE-350 and CPVACE-650 groups, respectively) for 7 days.

Results

After a single dose of CP (7 mg/kg b.w.), the red blood cells (RBC), hematocrit (HCT), white blood cells (WBC), and platelets significantly decreased. In the VAC-350 group, the reduction in total WBC count was less than that in the VAC-650 group on the 3rd day. The RBC and HCT values of the VACE groups were better than that of the CP control, but the VACE-350 treatment group showed significant improvement only on the 3rd day.

Conclusion

Our findings showed that VACE can mitigate CP-induced damage to peripheral blood cells at lower doses.

A comprehensive review on clinically proven natural products in the management of nerve pain, with mechanistic insights

Introduction

People are treating their neuropathic pain with several approved and licensed pharmacological drugs. But due to having existing limitations like low efficacy with some side effects, there needs to be a more effective alternative and complementary therapeutic options.

Purpose

s: The study was designed to discuss the mechanistic role of several clinically proven natural products that have been shown to play a significant role against different nerve pain or neuropathic pain.

Method

ology: Information for this review article was salvaged using several accessible searching databases like SciVerse Scopus ® (Elsevier Properties S. A, USA), Web of Science® (Thomson Reuters, USA), and PubMed® (U.S. National Library of Medicine, USA) considering some search items like - nerve pain, natural products in pain/nerve pain management, clinically proven natural products in pain management, pain-reducing agents and so on.

Result

Our study reported the therapeutic efficacy of natural products and their possible mechanism against neuropathic pain in the human body. Natural products widely used to treat neuropathic pain include comfrey root extract ointment, lavender oil, Rose Oil, aromatic essential oil, ginger oil, vitex agnus-castus, peganum oil, and ajwain 10%. Some common pathways are involved in pain relief through sensory stimulation, enzymatic, anti-inflammatory, and pain-related receptor regulation.

Conclusion

The present study suggests that the mentioned natural products can be an appropriate choice for the treatment and management of neuropathic pain.

Anticholinergic, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties of Vitex agnus-castus L. seed extract : Assessment of its phenolic content by LC-MS/MS

In this current study, Vitex agnus-castus seed ethanol extracts were analyzed for their phytochemical component content, anticholinergic and antioxidant activities, and antibacterial properties. The phenolic compound composition of these seeds was determined by using LC-MS/MS. Antioxidant activity of the seeds was examined by the DPPH, ABTS, Fe 3+ -Fe 2+ reducing, and CUPRAC. Also, the anticholinergic activity was measured by the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). The antibacterial activity was performed by disc diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration methods. The main phenolic compound was vanillic acid (22812.05 µg/L ) and followed by luteolin, fumaric acid, quercetin, caffeic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, salicylic acid, kaempferol, bütein, ellagic acid, resveratrol, catechin hydrate, phloridzin dehydrate, naringenin, respectively. The DPPH free radical scavenging value of ethanol extract of plant seeds was 9.41%, while the ABTS radical scavenging activity was determined as 12.66%. The ethanol extract of the seeds exhibited antibacterial activity on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus , and Salmonella Typhimurium, differently. S. aureus was found to be more susceptible to the extract than other bacteria. Also, the inhibition effect of seed ethanolic extract on the AChE with IC 50 values were 36.34±5,6 µg/mL. From the results, V. agnus-castus seed can be suggested as a promising natural antioxidant and antibacterial candidate for the preservation of foods.

Evaluation of anticandidal activities and phytochemical examination of extracts prepared from Vitex agnus-castus: a possible alternative in treating candidiasis infections

BACKGROUND

Candidiasis infection is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Fungicidal resistance of some commercially used fungicides ascended the need for a naturally effective alternative. The current study aimed to evaluate the fungicidal activity of Vitex agnus-castus extracts in vitro against some Candida species.

METHODS

The bioactive compounds contained in the crude and alcoholic extracts were compared, and the antioxidant activity was tested, as well. The phytochemical analysis was carried out by Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). The scavenger activity of the tested extracts was tested, as well. The anticandidal activity was tested to detect the effect of the tested extracts on the mycelial growth of Candida albicans, Candida krusei, Candida parapsilosis, Candia tropicalis, Candida famata, Candida rhodotorula, and Candida dublinesis. The minimum inhibitory concentrations were calculated for all reported activities. The Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and the Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) were used to detect the morphological and ultrastructure response in some selected species.

RESULTS

FTIR and GC/MS revealed the existence of different bioactive chemical groups such as polyphenols, fatty acids, terpenes, terpenoids, steroids, aldehydes, alcohols, and esters, phytol which is a diterpene. DPPH results confirmed the antioxidant activity of all extracts where the methanolic extract was the strongest scavenging substrate. All extracts showed strong inhibitory effects against different species at a concentration of 200 µg/ml (P < 0.001). SEM and TEM showed morphological and ultrastructure changes in C. famata.

CONCLUSION

The current study suggested a reliable antifungal activity of different extracts of Vitex agnus-castus against different Candida species and strains. However, further studies are required to confirm the safety of these extracts to be used in medical applications.

The 4-month effect of Vitex agnus-castus plant on sexual function of women of reproductive age: A clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Sexual dysfunction in women is a common disorder. Yet, there is no consensus on its treatment. Few studies have shown that Vitex agnus-castus improves sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women; the present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of V. agnus-castus on the female sexual function in the reproductive age.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a double-blinded randomized control clinical trial on the women of reproductive age referred to the gynecology clinic of Al-Zahra Medical Center in Rasht, Iran, from February 2018 to December 2019. The intervention group received Agnugol tablet containing 3.2-4.8 mg dried extract V. agnus-castus (51 participants) and the control group received a placebo tablet (51 participants). All participants received one tablet daily for 16 weeks. The participants were asked to complete the Female Sexual Function Index questionnaire at the beginning of the study and after 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks. Data were analyzed in SPSS statistics (version 21) using Chi-square test, t-test, Mann-Whitney U-test, analysis of variance, and mixed model to examine the differences between the groups.

RESULTS

The results showed that the difference between the two groups was not significant in each domain, but there was a significant difference in the overall sexual function mean score so that the intervention group had a higher score than the placebo group after 16 weeks (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

In the present study, it was observed that the consumption of V. agnus-castus during 16 weeks was more effective than the placebo in improving sexual dysfunction. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to be able to decide on the prescription of this drug in the clinics.

Combining HPLC-DAD-QTOF-MS and HPLC-SPE-NMR to Monitor In Vitro Vitetrifolin D Phase I and II Metabolism

By combining HPLC-DAD-QTOF-MS and HPLC-SPE-NMR, the in vitro metabolism of vitetrifolin D, a pharmacologically active key molecule from Vitex agnus-castus in liver cell fractions, was investigated. Twenty-seven phase I and phase II metabolites were tentatively identified from the culture broth by HPLC-DAD-QTOF-MS. The subsequent HPLC-SPE-NMR analysis allowed for the unequivocal structural characterization of nine phase I metabolites. Since the preparative isolation of the metabolites was avoided, the substance input was much lower than in conventional strategies. The study did prove that the use of hyphenated instrumental analysis methodologies allows for the successful performance of in vitro metabolism studies, even if the availability of substances is very limited.

In vitro anticandidal activity and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) screening of Vitex agnus-castus leaf extracts

Background

Candida infections are becoming more drug resistant; it is necessary to search for alternative medications to treat them. Therefore, the present study estimates the anticandidal activity of Vitex agnus-castus (VA-C) leaf extracts.

Methods

We used the agar well diffusion method to assess the anticandidal activity of three different VA-C leaf extracts (ethanol, methanol, and water) against three Candida species (Candida tropicalis, Candida albicans, and Candida ciferrii). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was estimated using the two-fold dilution method and the minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) was determined using the classic pour plate technique. The MFC/MIC ratio was calculated to estimate the microbicidal or microbiostatic activity. A gas chromatography mass spectrometer was used to screen the phytochemicals of the VA-C leaf extracts (ethanol, methanol, and water).

Results

All VA-C extracts ethanol, methanol, and water were significantly inhibited the growth of the test Candida species and the inhibition activity depended on the solvent used and the Candida species. The results showed that C. tropicalis was the most highly inhibited by all extracts followed by C. albicans and C. ciferrii. The MIC values were 12.5–25 µg/ml, and MFC values were 25–100 µg/ml. The ratios of MFC/MIC were two-fold to four-fold which was considered candidacidal activity. Ninety-five phytochemical compounds were identified by the GC-MS assay for the VA-C leaf extracts. The total number of compounds per extract differed. Methanol had 43 compounds, ethanol had 47 compounds, and water had 52 compounds. The highest compound concentrations were: 4,5-Dichloro-1,3-dioxolan-2-one in ethanol and methanol, 1H-Indene, 2,3-dihydro-1,1,2,3,3-pentamethyl in ethanol, Isobutyl 4-hydroxybenzoate in methanol, and Benzoic acid and 4-hydroxy- in water. These phytochemical compounds belong to different bioactive chemical group such as polyphenols, fatty acids, terpenes, terpenoids, steroids, aldehydes, alcohols, and esters, and most of which have anticandidal activity.

Conclusions

VA-C leaf extracts may be useful alternatives to anticandidal drugs, based on their effectiveness against all test Candida species at low concentrations. However, appropriate toxicology screening should be conducted before use.

Quality Assessment of Medicinal Product and Dietary Supplements Containing Vitex agnus-castus by HPLC Fingerprint and Quantitative Analyses

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the quality of 11 products sold in Japan (one medicinal product and 10 dietary supplements) containing/claiming to contain chasteberry extract (fruit of Vitex agnus-castus L.) using HPLC fingerprint (15 characteristic peaks), quantitative determination of chemical marker compounds, and a disintegration test. The HPLC profile of the medicinal product was similar to that of the reference standard of V. agnus-castus fruit dry extract obtained from European Directive for the Quality of Medicines (EDQM), whereas the profiles of some dietary supplements showed great variability, such as different proportions of peaks or lack of peaks. Results of the principal component analysis of the fingerprint data were consistent with those of the HPLC profile analysis. The contents of two markers, agnuside and casticin, in dietary supplements showed wide variability; this result was similar to that achieved with the HPLC fingerprint. In particular, agnuside and/or casticin was not detected in two dietary supplements. Furthermore, one dietary supplement was suspected to be contaminated with V. negundo, as evidenced from the results of agnuside to casticin ratio and assay of negundoside, a characteristic marker of V. negundo. Results of the disintegration test showed poor formulation quality of two dietary supplements. These results call attention to the quality problems of many dietary supplements, such as incorrect or poor-quality origin, different contents of the active ingredient, and/or unauthorized manufacturing procedures.

Vitex agnus-castus safeguards the lung against lipopolysaccharide-induced toxicity in mice

Vitex agnus-castus (VAC, Verbenaceae) is widely used in Chinese traditional medicine as an antiinflammatory agent. This study aimed to explore the efficacy of the VAC extract to protect against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury. The results have shown that VAC had a potent protective activity against LPS-induced acute lung damage. It significantly decreased pulmonary edema as there was a significant decrease in lung wet/dry ratio and in protein content. VAC also decreased the lactate dehydrogenase's activity in the bronchoalveolar fluid. VAC ameliorated LPS-induced inflammatory cells infiltration into the lung tissue and reversed the histopathological lesions of the lung. Furthermore, VAC counteracted LPS-induced oxidative stress as it attenuated the lipid peroxidation marker, malondialdehyde, in the lung. VAC increased the antioxidant activity as evident by elevated superoxide dismutase activity and increased reduced glutathione content in the lung tissue. Collectively, VAC has a protective activity against LPS-induced acute lung damage through its antioxidant potential. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Vitex agnus-castus has been used in various traditional medicines for treating various ailments as digestive complains, acne, rheumatic pains, menstrual irregularities, premenstrual syndrome, infertility, and hyperprolactinemia. Its leaves are used as a spice and the fruits are used as a substitute for pepper. VAC food supplements are used by women against psychic and somatic premenstrual symptoms. The findings of this study can demonstrate the potent protective activity of the VAC extract against LPS-induced acute lung damage due to its antioxidative effects. Therefore, VAC could be developed as a health functional food to improve acute lung damage and many diseases caused by oxidative damage.

Efficacy of a Herbal Formulation Based on Foeniculum Vulgare in Oligo/Amenorrhea: A Randomized Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the herbal tea based on Foeniculum vulgare, on inducing regular bleeding in women with oligomenorrhea and secondary amenorrhea( oligo/amenorrhea).

METHODS

Forty women aged 18- 40 with oligo/amenorrhea were enrolled in this randomized controlled clinical trial and were allocated to two groups equally. The women in the first group were treated by Fomentex (Foeniculum vulgare / Mentha longifolia / Vitex agnus-castus) herbal tea 11.2 g/day in 2 divided doses for 2 weeks and the second group were treated by medroxy progesterone acetate (MP)10 mg/day for the last 10 days of their menstrual cycles. The intervention was repeated in three cycles of menstruation in both groups. Bleeding pattern was documented by the patient on diary cards. The occurrence (yes/no) of bleeding, the regularity of bleeding pattern, the interval of cycles, the duration of bleeding, the volume of blood flow, the hormonal parameters (total testosterone, free testosterone luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone), and the endometrial thickness in sonography before and after the intervention were evaluated and compared as outcomes.

RESULTS

The number of women with bleeding during the first cycle was in the Fomentex group and the MP group 83.3% and 94.1% respectively (p = 0.61). The regularity of bleeding did not significantly differ in patients treated with Fomentex from those given MP (66.7% vs. 94.1%; p = 0.088). Mean interval of cycles decreased in both groups after intervention (P<0.001). Mean duration decreased significantly in MP group after the intervention but it was not different in patients treated with Fomentex. The difference between 2 groups was not significant (P=0.705). Volume of blood flow, with regard to Pictorial Blood Assessment Chart (PBAC), increased significantly in MP group after the intervention (P=0.001) and it was not different in patients treated with Fomentex (P=0.757); however, difference between 2 groups was not significant (P=0.063). The percentage of patients with on time menstruation in the next (drug-free) episode, was higher in the Fomentex group compared with the MP group (50% vs. 23.5%; p = 0.105). Secondary outcomes such as dysmenorrhea, acne and hirsutism reduced in the Fomentex group (P≤0.05), while they increased in the MP group (P=0.007). At the end of the treatment, there was a significant decrease in luteinizing hormone, total testosterone and free testosterone in patients taking Fomentex. The decrease of endometrial thickness, was significant in both groups after the intervention (P=0.001), but the difference between 2 groups was not significant (P=0.58). No notable complication or side effect was reported in relation to Fomentex.

CONCLUSION

Fomentex herbal tea is a safe, well-tolerated, and effective choice in inducing bleeding and maintaining regular bleeding in women with oligo/amenorrhea.

Is there a role for Western herbal medicine in treating cyclic perimenstrual pain and discomfort?

Conventional treatments for cyclic perimenstrual pain and discomfort, while numerous and diverse, have drawbacks including side effects, interference with women's reproductive function and, importantly, failure to address symptoms. Many women turn to herbal medicine to treat a myriad of menstrual symptoms. Clinical evidence supports the efficacy of Vitex agnus-castus but other medicinal herbs typically used by Western herbalists for treating menstrual symptoms are unsupported by clinical trials. This raises concerns around the efficacy and safety of these herbs. Women's treatment options need to be extended and individualised, where current conventional strategies fail, requiring appropriate clinical trials of potentially useful herbal medicines.

Antifungal effects of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Vitexagnus-castus against vaginal isolates of Candida albicans

Background and Purpose

Vulvovaginal candidiasis is one of the most common infections in female genital organs, which is caused by Candida species. Candida albicans is the causative agent of more than 80% of infections, and the role of non-Candida strains in the disease etiology is less prominent. The expansion of Azoles resistance among C. albicans strains is considered an important medical problem. According to previous studies, Vitex agnus-castus (vitex) has some antimicrobial effects. We aimed to evaluate the anti-fungal effects of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of vitex against clinical vaginal isolates of C. albicans in comparison with fluconazole.

Materials and Methods

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis was performed on vitex to identify its possible bioactive components. Forty C. albicans clinical isolates were identified by using germ tube, chlamydospore production, culture on CHROMagar, and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Finally, after the extraction of vitex, drug susceptibility test was carried out according to the clinical laboratory standards institute (CLSI) M27-S4 document guidelines.

Results

The major chemical components of vitex leaf as determined by gas chromatography included α-Pinene, isoterpinolene, caryophyllene, and azulene. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of vitex, as well as fluconazole were within the ranges of 15.62-62.5, 7.81-15.62, and 0.25-8 μg/mL, respectively.

Conclusion

Our findings showed that the alcoholic and aqueous extracts of vitex had antifungal activity against clinical isolates of C. albicans. Moreover, the alcoholic extract of vitex and fluconazole were more effective against clinical vaginal isolates of C. albicans compared to the aqueous extract of vitex.

Assessment of in vitro dopamine-neuroblastoma cell interactions with a bioelectric biosensor: perspective for a novel in vitro functional assay for dopamine agonist/antagonist activity

Current receptor-binding assays for dopamine do not measure the in vitro whole cellular response against dopamine or potential agonist/antagonist molecules. We herewith report the development of a novel functional assay concept for studying the in vitro interaction of the neurotransmitter dopamine with neural cells bearing dopamine receptors. The concept is based on the ultra-rapid measurement of changes in the electric properties of cultured N2a mouse neuroblastoma cells (corresponding to cumulative changes of the cell membrane potential). A close relationship between cumulative cell membrane potential and dopamine concentration was observed. Membrane depolarization was observed at nanomolar dopamine concentrations, while hyperpolarization was associated with micromolar ones. Treatment with the dopamine D2-receptor antagonist eticlopride resulted to a concentration-dependent membrane depolarization. Treatment with sodium chloride caused considerable weakening of the dopamine-associated hyperpolarization effect. The observed bioelectric response to dopamine was highly inversely correlated with the pattern of dopamine release-uptake balance by N2a cells, as determined with cyclic voltammetry. The bioelectric approach was also used to evaluate the dopaminergic activity of chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus) extracts. The novel assay concept offers promising perspectives for the development of advanced companion diagnostics system for the high throughput, fast functional characterization of neurotransmitter agonists and antagonists.

Pancreatic protective and hypoglycemic effects of Vitex agnus-castus L. fruit hydroalcoholic extract in D-galactose-induced aging mouse model

D-galactose induces pancreatic disorder along with aging mouse model. Vitex agnus-castus (VAC) has potential pancreatic protective effect. Hence, this study was designed to evaluate the hypoglycemic and pancreas protective effects of VAC hydroalcoholic extract in D-galactose-induced aging female mice. In the present experimental study, 72 adult female Naval Medical Research Institute (NMRI) mice (weighing 30–35 g) were divided into 6 groups of control, VAC hydroalcoholic extract, D-galactose, D-galactose + VAC hydroalcoholic extract, aged, aged + VAC hydroalcoholic extract. The aged model was prepared by subcutaneous injection of D-galactose for 45 days and, VAC hydroalcoholic extract was gavaged twice a day in the last 7 days. 24 h after the last drug and extract administrations, serum samples and pancreatic tissues were removed to evaluate experimental and histological determinations. Serum glucose level decreased in VAC, D-galactose and, aged-treated groups compared to the control (P < 0.05). Insulin level increased in VAC and decreased in D-galactose and aged VAC-treated mice compared to the control (P < 0.05). Homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) increased in D-galactose, aging, and VAC hydroalcoholic extract groups (P < 0.05) and, administration of VAC hydroalcoholic extract improved HOMA-IR in D-galactose and aging treated animals. Despite the size of pancreatic islets decreased in aged and D-galactose groups, VAC administration recovered it. Present data showed that VAC hydroalcoholic extract has hypoglycemic and pancreatic protective effects in natural aged and aging model mice.

Effects of Vitex agnus-castus fruit on sex hormones and antioxidant indices in a d-galactose-induced aging female mouse model

BACKGROUND

Aging is associated with the loss of endocrine function. In this study, Vitex agnus-castus (Vitex), which has antioxidant effects and high levels of phytoestrogen, was investigated with regard to the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and antioxidant indices in natural aging and in a d-galactose induced aging model in female mice.

METHODS

The mice were subcutaneously injected with d-galactose (500 mg/kg/d for 45 days). Extract of Vitex (600 mg/kg/bid for 7 days by gavage) was used to treat d-galactose-induced aging and natural aging in mice. Seventy-two female NMRI mice (48 3-month-old normal mice and 24 18-24-month-old mice), weighing 30-35 g were randomly divided into six groups: control, Vitex, d-galactose, Vitex + d-galactose, Aging, and Vitex + Aging. The antioxidant indices and sex hormone levels were subsequently measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits.

RESULTS

Body weight and the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone levels were significantly increased in the d-galactose aging and natural aging groups, whereas catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and estrogen level were significantly decreased in these same groups. d-Galactose can also disrupt the estrous cycle and damage the uterus and ovarian tissues. Vitex could effectively attenuate these alterations.

CONCLUSION

Vitex improved some aging events in the reproductive system of female mice. Therefore, because of its apparent antiaging effects, Vitex can be suitable for some aging problems such as oxidative stress, female sex hormone deficiency, and an atrophic endometrium.

Effects of hydro-alcoholic extract of Vitex agnus-castus fruit on kidney of D-galactose-induced aging model in female mice

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a hydro-alcoholic extract of Vitex agnus-castus (VAC) fruit on blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cr) and, kidney histology of a female mouse model of D-galactose induced aging. In this experimental study, 72 NMRI mice were divided into 6 groups: control, VAC, D-galactose, D-galactose+VAC, aging, and aging+VAC. D-galactose was injected for 45 days and, VAC extract administered in the last 7 days, twice a day. Serum BUN and Cr levels were not significantly changed in the D-galactose and natural aged animals in comparison to control group. Histological changes such as nuclear pyknosis, proximal cell swelling, infiltration of inflammatory cells, tubular dilatation and, vasodilatation were observed in both D-galactose and natural aged mice. Further, glomerules diameter was decreased in them. Administration of VAC could attenuate the histological alterations. These results indicate that VAC may have beneficial effects on aging and aging related kidney disease.

Vitex Agnus Castus Extract Improves Learning and Memory and Increases the Transcription of Estrogen Receptor α in Hippocampus of Ovariectomized Rats

INTRODUCTION

Lower level of estrogen hormone is considered as an important factor for loss of learning and memory in postmenopausal women. Although estrogen replacement therapy is used for compensation, but long-term usage of estrogen is associated with a higher risk of hormone-dependent cancers. Phytoestrogens, due to fewer side effects, have been proposed to prevent menopause-related cognitive decline.

METHODS

24 female Wistar rats weighing 180-220 g were used in this study. The animals were ovariectomized and randomly divided into four groups including, control and two groups which received 8 and 80 mg/kg Vitex agnus castus (VAC) ethanolic extract orally. The last groups were treated with 40 μg/kg of estradiol valerat. Step-through passive avoidance (STPA) test was used for the evaluation of learning and memory. The hippocampal estrogen receptor α (ERα) expression was measured using Real-Time PCR.

RESULTS

The results demonstrated that VAC extract or estradiol had better performance on step-through passive avoidance test than control group (all P<0.05). Moreover, administration of either estradiol or VAC extract increased the hippocampal mRNA level of ERα and prevented the decrease in uterine weight of ovariectomized rats.

DISCUSSION

Based on our data, VAC extract improves learning and memory in ovariectomized rats. The positive effect of VAC extract on learning and memory is possibly associated with an increase in ERα gene expression in the hippocampal formation.

Possible Modulation of the Anexiogenic Effects of Vitex Agnus-castus by the Serotonergic System

OBJECTIVES

There is well documented evidence for the increase in widespread use of complementary and alternative medicine in the treatment of physical and psychiatric symptoms and disorders within the populations. In the present study, we investigated the influence of V itex agnus-castus (vitex) on anxiety-like behaviors of rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Elevated plus maze which is one of the methods used for testing anxiety is used in our present study. Rats were orally administrated with vitex for two week. The anxiety test was carried out after two weeks of oral administration of vitex. For evaluating interaction of vitex and serotonergic systems, rats were anaesthetized with ketamine and special cannulas were inserted stereotaxically into the third ventricle (TV) of brain. After 1 week recovery, the effects of serotonegic agents on anxiety were studied.

RESULTS

Oral administration of vitex (100, 200, 300 mg/kg) for two weeks induced an anxiogenic-like effect which was shown through specific decreases in the percentages of open arm time (OAT %) and open arm entries (OAE %). Intra - TV infusion of 5HT1A receptor agonist, 8-OH-DPAT (5, 10 and 25 ng/rat) increased OAT% and OAE%, indicating anxiolytic-like behavior. However, injection of 5HT1A receptor antagonist NAN190 (0.25, 0.5 and 1 µg/rat) produced anxiogenic-like behavior. The most effective dose of 8-OH-DPAT (10 ng/rat), when co-administered with vitex (100, 200, 300 mg/kg), attenuated the anxiogenic-like effects of vitex significantly. Injection of the less effective dose of NAN190 (0.5 µg/rat), in combination with vitex (100, 200, 300 mg/kg), potentiate anxiogenic effects of vitex.

CONCLUSIONS

These results illustrate that 5HT1A receptor is involved in the anxiogenic effects of vitex.